During its years of active production, the Carl Rosa Opera Company is known to have made many live broadcasts on radio (although only one recording is known to have actually survived) and also issued a series of bespoke studio-made 78rpm recordings.
We’d love to be able to add to our list of extant recordings – if you know of any that aren’t covered here, please don’t hesitate to make contact.
PART 1 – COMMERCIAL RECORDINGS OF THE CARL ROSA COMPANY
During the very early 1930s, conductors Arthur Hammond and Richard Austin supervised a series of recordings for the Imperial / Crystalate record company – each 78rpm disc contained a series of highlights from a single opera spread over two sides. Each disc was issued with a printed slip detailing the cast and contents. The records are as follows:
| Z.113 (Matrix 132 &133A) | FAUST with Ivor John (Faust), Constance Stocker (Siebel), Redvers Llewellyn (Valentine), Mabel Baker (Marguerita), Frederic Collier (Mephistopheles); conducted by Arthur Hammond |
| Z.115 (Matrix 146A & 148A) | LOHENGRIN with William Boland (Lohengrin), Pauline Maunder (Elsa), Constance Stocker (Ortrud), conducted by Arthur Hammond |
| Z.116 (Matrix 134 & 135) | RIGOLETTO with Mabel Baker, Constance Stocker, John Clifford, conducted by Arthur Hammond |
| Z.119 (Matrix 141A & 142) | TALES OF HOFFMANN, conducted by Richard Austin |
| Z.130 (Matrix 136A & 137A) | FLYING DUTCHMAN with Pauline Maunder, Collier, Ivor John as Steersman, conducted by Arthur Hammond |
| Z.133 (Matrix?) | CARMEN |
| Z.135 (Matrix?) | I PAGLIACCI with William Boland |
| Z.146 (Matrix?) | MADAM BUTTERFLY, conducted by Richard Austin |
| Z.147 (Matrix 144A & 145A) | IL TROVATORE, conducted by Arthur Hammond |
| Z.148 (Matrix?) | MARITANA |
| Z.149 (Matrix?) | TANNHAUSER |
| Z.150 (Matrix?) | CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA |
PART 2 – KNOWN RADIO BROADCASTS
There were frequent live radio relays of performances (whole or in part) given by the Carl Rosa Opera Company during the 1930s and 40s – and occasionally thereafter until the closure of the company. Only one of these is known to have survived (see below); we’d welcome any information about extant copies of any of the others.
| Wednesday 17th Oct 1928 (5GB Daventry – Experimental) | 20:30pm “Faust” ACT III by the Carl Rosa Opera Company relayed from the New Theatre, Cardiff (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Saturday 25th Oct 1930 (5WA Cardiff) | 21:35pm “Carmen”: Acts III and IV by Bizet; performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company relayed from Princes Theatre, Bristol conducted by Arthur Hammond; with John Wright (Don Jose), Frederick Collier (Escamillo), Hubert Dunkerley (El Dancairo), Frank Clarke (El Remendado), Harry Metcalfe (Zuniga), Redvers Llewellyn (Morales), Audrey Mildmay (Micaela), Esther Martin (Frasquita), Irene Dobbyn (Mercedes) and Rispah Goodacre (Carmen) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Thursday 29th Sep 1932 (5WA Cardiff) | 20:25pm Act II of Bizet’s Opera “Carmen” performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company relayed from Prince’s Theatre, Bristol; conductor: Arthur Hammond, with Betty Thompson (Carmen), Hilary Davies (Frasquita), Winifred Henze (Mercedes), Ronald Stear (Zuniga), Redvers Llewellyn (Escamillo), Walter Delmar (Dancario), William Biggs (Remendado) and Ivor John (Don Jose) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Saturday 1st Oct 1932 (5WA Cardiff) | 19:30 “Cavalleria Rusticana” (Mascagni) performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company relayed from Princes Theatre, Bristol; conducted by Arthur Hammond with Pauline Maunder (Santuzza), Irene Dobbyn (Lucia), Frederic Collier (Alfio), Godfrey Stirling (Turiddu) and Constance Stocker (Lola) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Monday 19th Feb 1934 (Regional Programme Northern) | 21:20pm The Carl Rosa Opera Company presents Act III of Rossini’s Opera “The Barber of Seville” Relayed from The Princes Theatre, Manchester. Conductor, Robert Ainsworth, with Mabel Baker (Rosina), Irene Dobbyn (Marcellina), Ivor John (Count Almaviva), Leyland White (Figaro), Reginald Stear (Don Basilio), Kingsley Lark (Dr Bartolo) and Gwilym Jones (Notary) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Monday 26th Feb 1934 (Regional Programme Midland) | 20:30pm Act II of Gounod’s Opera “Faust” performed by The Carl Rosa Opera Company relayed from The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton conducted by Eric Warr, with Helen Ogilvie (Marguerite), Betty Thompson (Siebel), Irene Dobbyn (Martha), Ivor John (Faust) and Ronald Stear (Mephistopheles) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Thursday 8th Mar 1934 (Regional Programme Northern) | 21:30pm The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company presents Act III of Balfe’s Opera “The Bohemian Girl” Relayed from The Grand Theatre, Leeds; conducted by Eric Warr with Mabel Baker (Arline), Betty Thompson (Queen of the Gypsies), Godfrey Stirling (Thaddeus), Leyland White (Count Arnheim), Ronald Stear (Devilshoof), Kingsley Lark (Florestein), Liddell Peddieson (Captain of the Guard), Kathleen Larkhurst (Buda) and Howell Glynne (A Gypsy) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Tuesday 27th Mar 1934 (Regional Programme Scotland) | 21:00pm The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company presents Act I of Leoncavallo’s Opera “I Pagliacci” relayed from The Theatre Royal, Glasgow conducted by Eric Warr with John Wright (Canio), Redvers Llewellyn (Tonio), Charles Draper (Silvio), Gwilym Jones (Beppe), Mabel Baker (Nedda) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Tuesday 3rd Apr 1934 (Regional Programme Scotland) | 20:20pm. Acts II, III, and IV of Verdi’s Opera “Il Trovatore,” The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company conducted by Eric Warr, with Ivor John (Manrico), Redvers Llewellyn (The Count di Luna), Howell Glynne (Ferrando), Gwilym Jones (Ruiz), Marjorie Carline (Inez), Irene Dobbyn (Azucena), Helen Ogilvie (Leonora). During the Interval: “Do you Remember?” Reminiscences of the Carl Rosa Opera Company, by Arthur Nelson (From Edinburgh) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Wednesday 11th Apr 1934 (Regional Programme Scotland) | 20.35pm The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company presents Act II of Bizet’s Opera “Carmen” conducted by Eric Warr; relayed from His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (Aberdeen Programme) with John Wright (Don Jose), Leyland White (Escamillo), Howell Glynne (Zuniga), Gwilym Jones (Remendado), Kingsley Lark (Il Dancairo), Hilary Davies (Frasquita), Monica Sweeney (Mercedes) and Betty Thompson (Carmen) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Wednesday 18th Apr 1934 (Regional Programme Scotland) | 19:45pm The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company presents Act I of Mozart’s Opera “Don Giovanni” (English Translation by E. J. Dent) conducted by Eric Warr; relayed from the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh with Leyland White (Don Giovanni), Helen Ogilvie (Donna Elvira), Mabel Baker (Donna Anna), Ivor John (Don Octavio), Charles Draper (The Commandant), Ronald Stear (Leporello), Howell Glynne (Masetto) and Pauline Maunder (Zerlina) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Thursday 18th Oct 1934 (Regional Programme Western) | 20:25 Act II of Wagner’s Opera “Tannhauser” performed by the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company relayed from the Princes Theatre, Bristol conducted by Eric Warr; with Odette De Foras (Elizabeth), John Wright (Tannhauser), Richard Watson (The Landgrave of Thuringia), Leyland White (Wolfram), Godfrey Stirling (Walther), Charles Draper (Biterolf), David Jones (Heinrich) and Howell Glynne (Reinmar) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Wednesday 24th Oct 1934 (Regional Programme Western) | 20:45pm Act III of Verdi’s Opera “Rigoletto” performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company Under the direction of H.B. Phillips; relayed from The Princes Theatre, Bristol conducted by Johan Wielaert with Ivor John (The Duke of Mantua), Ben Pullen (Marullo), Charles Draper (Ceprano), Hubert Dunkerley (Rigoletto), Mabel Baker (Gilda) and Richard Watson (Count Monterone) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Tuesday 30th Oct 1934 (Regional Programme Midland) | 20:45pm Act II of Mozart’s Opera “Don Giovanni” performed by The Carl Rosa Opera Company relayed from The Prince of Wales Theatre, Birmingham conducted by Eric Warr (Leader of the Orchestra, Robert Carrodus; Stage Direction, Kingsley Lark) with Leyland White (Don Giovanni), Robert Watson (Leporello), Helen Ogilvie (Donna Elvira), Howell Glynne (Masetto), Pauline Maunder (Zerlina), Mabel Baker (Donna Anna), Ivor John (Don Octavio) and Charles Draper (The Commandant) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Thursday 22nd Nov 1934 (2BE Belfast) | 19:30pm Act I of Bizet’s Opera “Carmen” Performed by The Carl Rosa Opera Company relayed from The Grand Opera House, Belfast conducted by Eric Warr with Charles Draper (Morales), Elsie Griffin (Micaela), John Wright (Don Jose), Howell Glynne (Zuniga) and Betty Thompson (Carmen) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Tue 27th Nov 1934 (Regional Programme Midland) | 21:10pm Act III of Rossini’s. Opera “The Barber of Seville” performed by The Carl Rosa Opera Company relayed from The Theatre Royal, Nottingham conducted by Charles Webber (Leader of the Orchestra: Robert Carrodus; Stage Director Kingsley Lark) with Kingsley Lark (Dr Bartolo), Ivor John (Count Almaviva), Mabel Baker (Rosina), Leyland White (Figaro), Richard Watson (Don Basilio), Vanwy Davies (Marcellina) and Gwylym Jones (Notary) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Tuesday 29th Jan 1935 (Regional Programme Western) | 20:00pm Acts I and II of Bizet’s Opera “Carmen” performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company relayed from The Pavilion, Torquay. The Torquay Municipal Orchestra are under the direction of Charles Webber; with Ivor John (Don Jose), Leyland White (Escamillo), Richard Watson (Zuniga), Charles Draper (Morales), Kingsley Lark (Dancairo), Gwylm Jones (Remendado), Elsie Griffin (Micaela), Hilary Davies (Frasquita), Winifred Henze (Mercedes) and Betty Thompson (Carmen) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Friday 15th Mar 1935 (5NO Newcastle and Regional Northern) | 20:35pm Act 2 of the Opera “Die Fledermaus” (The Bat) by Johann Strauss performed by the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company conducted by Charles Webber – relayed from The Theatre Royal, Newcastle-upon-Tyne with Hilary Davies (Molly), Mabel Baker (Adele), Betty Thompson (Prince Orlofski), Hubert Dunkerley (Dr Falke), John Wright (Gabriel von Eisenstein), Leyland White (Frank) and Pauline Maunder (Rosalinda) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Friday 22nd Mar 1935 (Regional Programme Scotland) | 19:30pm The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company presents Act I of Wagner’s Opera “Tannhauser” relayed from The King’s Theatre, Edinburgh conducted by Charles Webber with Pauline Maunder (Venus), John Wright (Tannhauser), Ann Sholes (A Shepherd Boy) ,Richard Watson (The Landgrave of Thuringia), Leyland White (Wolfram Minstrel Knights), David Jones (Walther Minstrel Knights), Charles Draper (Biterolf Minstrel Knights), William Lewis (Heinrich Minstrel Knights) and Howell Glynn (Reinmar Minstrel Knights) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Monday 25th Mar 1935 (Regional Programme Scotland) | 19:45pm The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company presents Act I of Johann Strauss’s Opera “Die Fledermaus” (The Bat) relayed from The King’s Theatre, Glasgow conducted by Charles Webber with Godfrey Stirling (Alfred), Mabel Baker (Adele), Helen Ogilvie (Rosalinda), John Wright (Gabriel von Eisenstein), Gwilym Jones (Dr Blind), Hubert Dunkerley (Dr Falke) and Leyland White (Frank) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Tuesday 26th Mar 1935 (Regional Programme Scotland) | 19:45pm The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company presents Act 1 of Mozart’s Opera “Don Giovanni” (English translation by Professor E. J. Dent) relayed from The King’s Theatre, Glasgow conducted by Charles Webber with Richard Watson (Leporello), Leyland White (Don Giovanni), Odette de Foras (Donna Anna), Charles Draper (The Commandant), Ivor John (Don Octavio), Helen Ogilvie (Donna Elvira), Pauline Maunder (Zerlina) and Howell Glynne (Masetto) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Saturday 6th Apr 1935 (Regional Programme Scotland) | 19:45pm The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company presents Wallace’s Opera “Maritana” relayed from The King’s Theatre, Glasgow conducted by Ivan Clayton with Mabel Baker (Maritana), Howell Glynne (The King), Hubert Dunkerley (Don Jose), Godfrey Stirling (Don Cesare), Betty Thompson (Lazarillo), Charles Draper (Captain of the Guard), Ivor Adams (The Alcade), Gwilym Jones (The Marquis de Montefiore) and Vanwy Davies (The Marchioness) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Friday 26th Apr 1935 (Regional Programme Northern) | 19:30 Act I of Bizet’s Opera “Carmen” Performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company relayed from the Prince’s Theatre, Manchester. (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Friday 8th Nov 1935 (Regional Programme Western) | 20:35pm Act 2 of Johann Strauss’s Opera “Die Fledermaus” (The Bat) conducted by Charles Webber performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company relayed from The Empire Theatre, Swansea with Peggy Ramsay (Molly), Mabel Baker (Adele), Betty Thompson (Prince Orlofsky), Hubert Dunkerley (Doctor Falke), John Wright (Gabriel von Eisenstein), Norman Jones (Ivan), Kingsley Lark (Frank) and Pauline Maunder (Rosalinda) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Fri 15th Nov 1935 (Regional Programme Midland) | 20:15pm Act II of Verdi’s Opera “Il Trovatore” Performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company relayed from The Theatre Royal, Nottingham; conductor, Ivan Clayton with Betty Thompson (Azucena), John Wright (Manrico), Gwilym Jones (Ruiz), Hubert Dunkerley (The Count di Luna), Howell Glynne (Ferrando), Helen Ogilvie (Leonora) and Marjorie Carline (Inez) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Monday 18th Nov 1935 (Regional Programme Midland) | 19:30pm Acts I and II of Verdi’s Opera “La Traviata” conducted by Charles Webber performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company relayed from The Theatre Royal, Nottingham; with Mabel Baker (Violetta Valery), Peggy Ramsay (Flora Bervoix), Vivian Millar (Marquis d’Obigny), Charles Draper (Baron Douphal), Howell Glynne (Doctor Grenvil), David Jones (Gaston de Letorieres), Ivor John (Alfred Germont), Gladys Parker (Annina), Gwilyn Jones (Joseph), Hubert Dunkerley (Georges Germont) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Saturday 22nd Feb 1936 (Regional Programme Midland) | 20:35 “Faust” Act II of the Opera by Gounod conducted by Keith Douglas performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company relayed from the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton; with Olga Haley (Siebel), Parry Jones (Faust), Kingsley Lark (Mephistopheles), Gladys Parker (Martha) and Helen Ogilvie (Marguerite) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Friday March 6th 1936 (Northern Radio and Regional Programme Northern) | 8.50-9.45: “The Barber of Seville” (Rossini) (Act 2); performed by the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company at the Garrick Theatre, Southport.; with Elena Danieli (Rosina), Hubert Dunkerley (Figaro), Kingsley Lark (Dr Bartolo), Howell Glynne (Don Basilio), Gladys Parker (Marcellina), Ivor John (Count Almaviva) and Norman Jones (An Officer); conductor, Charles Webber (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Friday 2nd Oct 1936 (Regional Programme Midland) | 19:30pm Act I of Rossini’s Opera “The Barber of Seville” from the Theatre Royal, Nottingham performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company conducted by Charles Webber with Norman Jones (Fiorello), Ivor John (Count Almaviva), Hubert Dunkerley (Figaro), Luella Paikin (Rosina), Kingsley Lark (Dr Bartolo) and Winifred Ingham (Marcellina) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Monday 12th Oct 1936 (Regional Programme Northern) | 19:30pm Acts I and II of Bizet’s Opera “Carmen” from the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company conducted by Charles Webber with Ernest Frank (Morales), Helen Ogilvie (Micaela), Ivor John (Don Jose), Howell Glynne (Zuniga), Olga Haley (Carmen), Phyllis Brooks (Frasquita), Elizabeth Aveling (Mercedes), Hubert Dunkerley (Escamillo), Kingsley Lark (Dancairo) and Gwylm Jones (Remendado) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Monday 19th Oct 1936 (Regional Programme Western) | 19:30pm Act I of Puccini’s Opera “La Bohème” Performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company from the Empire Theatre, Swansea conducted by Charles Webber with Ivor John (Rudolph), Hubert Dunkerley (Marcel), George Hancock (Schaunard), Kingsley Lark (Colline), Gwilym Jones (Benoit) and Elena Danieli (Mimi) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Saturday 31st October 1936 (BBC West) | 7.30pm – 8.40pm “Cavalleria Rusticana” – The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company from the Prince’s Theatre Bristol; with John Torney (Turridu), George Hancock (Alfio), Elizabeth Aveling (Lola), Winifride Ingham (Lucia) and Pauline Maunder (Santuzza); conducted by Charles Webber (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Monday 9th Nov 1936 (Regional Programme Midland) | 19:30pm Act I of Puccini’s Opera “La Bohème” performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company from the Prince of Wales’ Theatre, Birmingham conducted by Charles Webber with Ivor John (Rudolph), Hubert Dunkerley (Marcel), George Hancock (Schaunard), Kingsley Lark (Colline), Gwilym Jones (Benoit) and Mary Cadbury (Mimi) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Friday 5th Mar 1937 (Regional Programme Midland) | 20:00pm Act I of Wagner’s Opera “Tannhauser” performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company from the New Theatre, Oxford conducted by Charles Webber with Pauline Maunder (Venus), John Myrddin (Tannhauser), Ann Scholes (Shepherd Boy), Phillip Bertram (The Landgrave of Thuringia), Leyland White (Wolfram Minstrel), John Torney (Walter Minstrel), George Hancock (Biterolf Minstrel), Norman Jones (Reinmar Minstrel) and William Lewis (Schreiber Minstrel) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Saturday 10th Apr 1937 (Regional Programme Scotland) | 20:40pm The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company in “Maritana” by Vincent Wallace from the King’s Theatre, Glasgow; conducted by Charles Webber with Betty Thompson (Lazarillo), John Myrddin (Don Cesare), Hubert Dunkerley (Don Jose), Howell Glynne (The Alcade), Elisabeth Aveling (The Marchioness), Liddell Peddieson (The Marquis de Montefiore), Pauline Maunder (Maritana), Philip Bertram (The King) and John Myrddin (Don Cesare) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Thursday 21st Oct 1937 (Regional Programme Western) | 19:45pm Act 1 of Bizet’s Opera “Carmen”‘ performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company from the Prince’s Theatre, Bristol conducted by Michael Mudie with John Myrddin (Don Jose), Phillip Bertram (Zuniga), Norman Jones (Morales), Mary Cadbury (Micaela) and Betty Thompson (Carmen) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Saturday 13th November 1937 (BBC on Regional Programme Midland) | 7.15pm Madam Butterfly (broadcast complete from the Prince of Wales Theatre, Birmingham, with interval talks supplied by Wilfred Rooke Ley) with John Torney (Pinkerton), Gwilym Jones (Goro), Betty Thompson (Suzuki), Leyland White (Sharpless), Helen Ogilvie (Cho Cho San), Norman Jones (Imperial Commissioner), William Lewis (Official Registrar), Howell Glynne (The Bonze), George Hancock (Yamadori), Viola Hogg (Kate Pinkerton) Conducted by Keith Douglas. (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Sat 4th Dec 1937 (Regional Programme Western) | 20:00pm Act 1 of Offenbach’s Opera “Tales of Hoffmann” performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Co. from the Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth conducted by Charles Webber with Ivor John (Hoffmann), Betty Thompson (Nicklaus), Gwilym Jones (Nathaniel), Norman Jones (Hermann), Alfred Hallworth (Luther), Kingsley Lark (Spalanzani), Hubert Dunkerley (Coppelius), Gwilym Jones (Cochenille) and Luella Paikin (Olympia) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Friday 25th Feb 1938 (Regional Programme Midland) | 20:00pm Act 1 of Puccini’s Opera ‘La Boheme’ performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company from the Memorial Theatre, Stratford-on-Avon with John Torney (Rudolph), Hubert Dunkerley (Marcel), George Hancock (Schaunard), Phillip Bertram (Colline), Liddell Peddieson (Benoit) and Luella Paikin (Mimi) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Saturday 2nd Apr 1938 (Regional Programme Scotland) | 19:45pm Act I of Bizet’s Opera “Carmen” performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company conducted by Michael Mudie from the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh with Norman Jones (Morales), Helen Ogilvie (Micaela), Philip Bertram (Zuniga), Ivor John (Don Jose) and Olga Haley (Carmen) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Saturday 16th Apr 1938 (Regional Programme Scotland) | 19:45pm. Act I of Puccini’s Opera “La Boheme” performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company conducted by Michael Mudie from the King’s Theatre, Glasgow with Hubert Dunkerley (Marcel), John Torney (Rudolph), Kingsley Lark (Colline), George Hancock (Schaunard), Liddell Peddieson (Benoit) and Rose Alper (Mimi) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Sunday 15th May 1938 (Regional Programme London) | 18:50 “Maritana” an Opera by Vincent Wallace With words by Edward Fitzball and Alfred Bunn – Favourite songs and choruses sung by members of The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company; The BBC Theatre Orchestra (Leader, Tate Gilder) Conductor, Stanford Robinson with Helen Ogilvie (Maritana), Betty Thompson (Lazarillo), John Torney (Don Caesar de Bazan), Hubert Dunkerley (Don Jose de Santarem) and Howell Glynne (The King of Spain) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Tuesday 27th Sep 1938 (Regional Programme Midland) | 20:05pm The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company presents Act 2 of Verdi’s opera “Rigoletto” from the Theatre Royal, Birmingham; conducted by Charles Webber with Joseph Satariano (Rigoletto), Howell Glynne (Sparafucile), Rose Alper (Gilda), Ann Sholes (Giovanna) and John Torney (Duke of Mantua) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Thursday 27th Oct 1938 (Regional Programme Western) | 21:25pm The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company presents Act 3 of Bizet’s opera “Carmen” from the Prince’s Theatre, Bristol conducted by Charles Webber with Kingsley Lark (Dancairo), Olga Haley (Carmen), John Myrddin (Don Jose), Ruth Packer (Mercedes), Phyllis Brooks (Frasquita), Helen Ogilvie (Micaela), Joseph Satariano (Esamillo) and Gwilym Jones (Remendado) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Thursday 8th Dec 1938 (Regional Programme Western) | 20:00pm Mascagni’s opera “Cavalleria Rusticana” (Rustic Chivalry) performed by the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company from the Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth; conducted by Michael Mudie (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Friday 3rd Mar 1939 (Regional Programme Midland) | 19:50pm Mascagni’s Opera “Cavalleria Rusticana”(Rustic Chivalry) performed by the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company from the New Theatre, Northampton. Conductor, James Robertson; with Ann Sholes (Lucia), Ruth Packer (Santuzza), Philip Bertram (Alfio), John Torney (Turiddu) and Elisabeth Aveling (Lola) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Tuesday 14th Mar 1939 (Regional Programme Northern) | 21:00pm Act 3 of Verdi’s opera “Rigoletto” performed by the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company from the Opera House, Manchester conducted by Charles Webber with John Torney (Duke of Mantua), Cecil Lloyd (Count Ceprano), Norman Jones (Marullo), Gwilym Jones (Borsa), Joseph Satariano (Rigoletto), Nanette Quin (Page), Luella Paikin (Gilda) and Philip Bertram (Monterone) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Thursday 13th Apr 1939 (Regional Programme Scotland) | 20:25pm Act 2 of Verdi’s opera “Rigoletto” performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company from the King’s Theatre, Glasgow; conducted by Charles Webber with Dennis Noble (Rigoletto), Howell Glynne (Sparafucile), Luella Paikin (Gilda), Ann Sholes (Giovanna), Ivor John (Duke of Mantua), Gwilym Jones (Borsa) and Norman Jones (Marullo) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Friday 21st Apr 1939 (Regional Programme Scotland) | 19:45pm Act 1 of Verdi’s opera “La Traviata” performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company from the King’s Theatre, Glasgow conducted by Michael Mudie, with Luella Paikin (Violetta Valery), Elisabeth Aveling (Flora Bervoix), Jack Higginson (Marquis d’Obigny), Philip Bertram (Baron Douphal), Howell Glynne (Doctor Grenvil), Norman Jones (Gaston de Letorieres) and John Torney (Alfred Germont) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Saturday 28th Mar 1942 (BBC Home Service Basic) | 14:00 “La Traviata” Verdi’s opera, performed by the Carl Rosa Opera Company, in association with the Scottish Orchestra : conductor, Warwick Braithwaite. Produced by Kingsley Lark. From the Theatre Royal, Glasgow (broadcast complete, with interval talks during which Francis Harford talks about the opera) with Joan Hammond (Violetta Valery), Ruth Abbot (Flora Bervoix), Tudor Davies (Alfred Germont) and Hubert Dunkerly (George Germont) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Wednesday 23rd Sep 1942 (Forces Programme) | 21:50pm Grand Operatic Concert – The Carl Rosa Opera Company, under the direction of H. B. Phillips. Singers: Helen Ogilvie, John Torney, Robert Sydney, Kingsley Lark, Hubert Dunkerley, Ruth Abbott, Appleton Moore, supported by the BBC Theatre Chorus and the BBC Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Charles Webber. The programme includes Verdi’s “II Trovatore,” Puccini’s “La Bohème” and Gounod’s “Faust.” (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Friday 11th Dec 1942 (Forces Programme) | 17:00 “Opera at Ease” Memories of the Royal Carl Rosa Company, presented with gramophone records by Kingsley Lark (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Tuesday 23rd Feb 1943 (Forces Programme) | 19:05 Act 2 of Verdi’s opera “Il Trovatore”, performed by the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company. From the Winter Garden Theatre; London, conducted by Walter Susskind with Tudor Davies (Manrico), Hubert Dunkerley (Count di Luna), Appleton Moore (Ferrando), Robert Sydney (Ruiz), Ruth Abbott (Inez), Gladys Parr (Azucena) and Helen Ogilvie (Leonora) (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Sun 30th August 1953 (BBC Home Service Basic) | 16:15pm The Carl Rosa Opera Company in a programme drawn from its repertoire with Ruth Packer (soprano), George Chitty (tenor), Arthur Wallington (baritone), The Carl Rosa Opera Chorus (Chorus-Master, John Bell), BBC Concert Orchestra (Leader, John Sharpe), Conducted by Arthur Hammond. This afternoon’ programme is made up of excerpts from the Company’s repertoire during its forthcoming tour, which begins at Nottingham on September 7. Among the other towns to be visited are Peterborough, Sheffield, Blackpool, Belfast, Southport, Bradford, and Birmingham. (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Mon 26th May 1958 (BBC Home Service Basic) | 19:00pm The Carl Rosa Opera in “Music to Remember” (by arrangement with the Carl Rosa Opera Trust) Sir Donald Wolfit, Chairman of the Trust, introduces a programme of operatic music, by members of the company. The Carl Rosa Orchestra (Leader, Barry Collins), Conductor, James Robertson From Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London. Presentation material supplied by Humphrey Procter-Gregg. (no recording is known to have survived). |
| Broadcast from …. on ….. (Coming Soon) | Benvenuto Cellini (Berlioz) RECORDING COMING SOON |
PART 3 – OTHER COMMERCIAL RECORDINGS OF CARL ROSA ARTISTS
| Ben Davies | Coming soon |
| Zelie de Lussan | Coming soon |
| Evelyn Scotney | Coming soon |
| Eva Turner | Coming soon |
| Joseph O’Mara | Coming soon |
| Barton McGuckin | Coming soon |
| Louise Kirkby Lunn | Coming soon |
| G H Snazelle | Coming soon |
| Robert Cunningham | “Yes, let me like a soldier fall” (Maritana) |
| William Paull | Coming soon |
PART 4 – SOME VIDEOS:
Trustee John Ward talks about the Carl Rosa Opera Company (with thanks to “Opera Scotland”)